Time Machine Trip to March 1942

 

Kaukauna Times - March 1942

By Lyle Hansen

March 4, 1942

L. F. Nelson was elected mayor to complete the unexpired term of the Late William J. Gantter, at a special meeting of the common council held Monday evening at the municipal building.

 

 

Joseph W. Lefevre, city attorney from 1918 to 1935 died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home on W. Wisconsin Avenue, Wednesday evening. 

 

March 11, 1942

 

All was quiet in Norm Foxgrover’s barbershop where Vernon Mullen was trimming Bob Vandehey’s hair. They have just concluded a discussion of the war and current events with Paul Nagan, who was enjoying a pipe of tobacco while waiting his turn. Suddenly a loud report broke the silence and Nagan’s pipe fell to the floor. “Sabotage” shouted Nagan as Mullen took cover behind his chair. The mystery was solved when Mullen retrieved a discharged .22 cartridge and lead pellet from the floor. Nagan remembered having the bullet in his pocket and was of the opinion, that it became lodged in his pipe when he filled it with tobacco.

 

Coach E. L. Lambeau is in California and his assistant Richard Red Smith in Florida, the Green Bay Packers searching for 1942 gridiron material. 

 

A crowd of about 1000 boxing fans saw Kaukauna High School defeat Green Bay Central High School 7 ½ to 3 ½ Thursday night at the Community club in Green Bay. This is the 33^rd win in a row for the Kaws and practically every bout on the card was unusually close with three draw decisions being rendered.

 

March 18, 1942

Attorney Allan C. Cain has taken over the law practice of the late Joseph W. Lefevre and is permanently located at 102 E. Second Street.

 

Myron “Mush” Esler, former Kaukauna man, will not knead the aching muscles of Brewer players in spring training next month. Instead, he will be serving in the United States navy. Mush notified the Brewer owner of his enlistment at the Great Lakes Naval training station. Mush had joined the Brewers in the spring of 1938 as the team trainer.

 

Twelve new reflector-type arterial stop signs are being erected throughout the city by workmen this week. Stop signs will be installed at the corner of Third Street and Main Avenue on the east and west sides of the intersection. 

 

 

Citizens to attend a “war rally” in the civic auditorium. A motion picture was shown featuring the armed strength of the United States. 

 

March 25, 1942

Under the second war powers bill, the five-cent piece will be half copper and half silver. The change from one-fourth nickel will make available for war purposes 870,000 pounds of nickel.

 

Holy Cross grade school cagers annexed their third consecutive city championship Saturday by trouncing Park B team 37 – 6. The Holy Cross team has gone through three seasons in the Kaukauna league without a loss.

Jack Roberts is rated as one of the best high school boxers in the state. He fights as 124 pounds and in the last three years has piled up a great record with the undefeated Kaws.

Motorists are invited by the American Automobile Association to enroll in the newly formed Service Motor League of volunteers. The volunteers will help meet the transportation needs of men in uniform needing a ride.   

The students at Nicolet grade school purchased $74.05 worth of national defense stamps and bonds Wednesday.  Students at Park school purchased $71.10 worth of national defense stamps Tuesday.

Citizens of Kaukauna and the Town of Buchanan are responding to the call for voluntary workers in connection with the civilian defense program. Nealy 1000 persons will be needed to carry out the defense program.

The navy is now accepting men from 17 to 50 for voluntary enlistment.

March 27, 1942

Damage of approximately $1000 was caused to the residence of Lawrence Vaubel, 219 W. 7^th Street, Wednesday morning by fire, water and smoke. Henry Esler, chief of the fire department, who estimated the damage, said that the fire started from a defective chimney in the attic over the kitchen.

Employees of the Thilmany Pulp and Paper company have purchased $2,625 worth of national defense bonds since February 27.

Men up to 44 are being accepted for service in the U. S. Army, it was announced by district recruiting office. Previously only men 18 to 34 were accepted in the army.

Selective Service Director Hershey, tightening 1-A deferments buy directing local boards to put aside considerations of mere convenience and comfort in determining the deferment of persons. Men 44 to 64 to register April 27.

Alex Urban, rookie end of the Packers 1941 squad is now carrying a gun in the army at Fort Bragg, N. C. Tom Greenfield, center with the Packers for three seasons is in the army at Fort Riley, Kas., as he is slated to ride an iron horse in a mechanized outfit.

 

Eight young men from Kaukauna left for induction this morning. They are Bernard H. Van Schyndel, Francis J. Grogan, Mark F. Van Lieshout, Joseph Casey, John M. Buchinger, Raymond J. Vanevenhoven, Walter J. Koglin and Cyril J. West.

 

Staff Sergeant La Rue Smith who has been stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana, has been chosen to attend officer’s candidate school at Fort Knox Kentucky. La Rue Smith had been an English instructor at Kaukauna High School before he was called into Army Service.

 

Private First-Class Francis Steffens has been transferred to Esler Field, Louisiana.

 

Private Raymond Juneau, Sixth Street, has been transferred to Fort Devens, Massachusetts. He is a field mechanic.

 

Corporal Robert Steinhoff, Ducharme Street, who is stationed at Camp Livingston, La., is enjoying a two-week furlough here with his parents. 

 

Staff Sergeant Francis H. Wagner, East Division Street, has been transferred to officers’ candidate school at Miami Beach, Florida.

 

Private Specialist Fifth Class Harvey A. Mann of the 3rd armored division at Camp Polk, La., has been promoted to fourth grade technician.

 

Private Joseph F. Micke, Forest Junction, who is stationed at Camp Shelby, Miss., is spending a 11-day furlough at home. 

 

Gerald Reichelt, Robert W. Beford and Robert Van Drasek all of Kaukauna, have joined the United Stated Marine corps at Milwaukee.

 

Corporal Lawrence Nushardt has been promoted to the rank of sergeant. He is stationed a Pendleton air base, Pendleton, Ore.

 

Corporal Edward Jirikowic, Desnoyer Street, has been recalled to army service. He is currently at Fort Sheridan, Ill., induction center.

 

Private Edward Kaphingst has been transferred to Keesler Field, Biloxi, Miss.

 

Aviation Cadet Wilford A Van Abel, age 22, is among the 23 Wisconsin men who will graduate from the advanced flying school at Randolph Field, Texas.

 

Leo A. Wolf, of Kaukauna, has been accepted for flying cadet training by the army air corps. He will report to Santa Anna, California.

 

Michael J. Gerharz, John Street, has been chosen to attend the surgical course at Station Hospital, Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He is with the 3^rd armor division.